St. Paul grad launches own fitness business

Ashley Schoen is a Norwalk native, 2008 St. Paul graduate, college track and cross country runner at Walsh University, mother, and now a business owner.

Though she led an active life, after having her first child, Schoen said she wanted to lose the weight she gained during her pregnancy. And that’s where her journey began.

Shoen applied and was selected as one of 140 people to complete a test group of a new workout through Beachbody with Shaun T. The test group turned out even better than she expected, leading her to places she didn’t initially imagine.

“I'm a former college track and cross country runner at Walsh University and really stumbled into home workouts after I had my son,” she said. “In my attempt to lose the 30 pounds of baby weight, I decided to share my journey and see if I could help other women who struggled to get fit after having kids and it has turned into a full business.”

The program featured 20-minute workouts and simple nutrition and has been something she has kept up with since she started. Schoen’s results were so good that she was chosen as one of eight people from the pilot test group to be featured on the Beachbody website with the program’s official launch.

“We really are emphasizing healthy lifestyles and finding ways to get sustainable results,” she said. “My team is currently in qualification for one of the highest ranks at Beachbody and we attribute that to simply helping others become their best version. ... We know that this is historically a hard month for people to want to be healthy, but we also want to show people it doesn't have to be hard or complicated. I'd love to inspire people to get moving now and take control of their health and not put off longer.”

Schoen’s contact information, and information on the business, which launched in 2017, can be found at her website www.thebestofyoumom.com.

Pifer is certified

Jeremy Pifer, of MCP Financial, has received the certified financial planner (CFP) designation. It identifies those individuals who have met the rigorous experience and ethical requirements of the CFP board, have successfully completed financial planning coursework and have passed the CFP certification examination.

Pifer graduated from Bellevue High School in 2000, earned his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2005 and a master’s degree from Ashland University in 2010. He has been in the financial services industry for more than nine years with offices in Bellevue and Norwalk, but sees clients all over Ohio.

Mercy earns high performer designation

LORAIN — The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) has designated the Mercy Health Foundation as a “2018 High Performer.” This is the third consecutive year that the Mercy Health Foundation has earned the designation.

The foundation is among 64 high-performer organizations from the United States and Canada, including academic and children’s hospitals. It ranks in the top 25 percent based on net fundraising returns for 2017 fiscal year results. The AHP considered more than 240 participating organizations for high-performer status.

In its report on Giving survey, AHP analyzes institutions to determine key factors that lead to higher performance among participants. In the United States, net fundraising revenue for high performers is almost seven times higher than for all institutions reporting.

The Mercy Health Foundation’s top performing net fundraising returns indicate that compared to other healthcare nonprofits, it raises significant funds from donors while maintaining low administrative costs. This means that the best part of each donation goes directly to patient and community programs.

“We are very honored to be recognized with such a distinction,” said Scott Pember, president of the Mercy Health Foundation - Lorain. “Credit goes to our community and our employees who believe in our mission and vision for extending healing and further providing access to care.”

The Mercy Health Foundation and its affiliate foundations in 10 communities across Ohio and Kentucky, including one in Willard, partner with donors to make lives better and communities stronger, with a special emphasis on those who are poor or under-served.

If you have an item for the business roundup column, send the information to the Norwalk Reflector in care of Zoe Greszler, 61 E. Monroe St., Norwalk, Ohio 44857, or email it to [email protected]